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Fracking Ban Proposed In Florida House
January 12, 2019
With the idea getting support from Gov. Ron DeSantis, a House Republican has filed a proposal to ban the oil- and gas-drilling process known as “fracking” in Florida. Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, filed the bill on Thursday, the same day DeSantis released a series of environmental proposals that included opposition to fracking.
Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, filed a similar proposal (SB 146) last month to try to ban fracking.
The bills are filed for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5. Environmental groups and some lawmakers have long wanted to block potential fracking in Florida, but legislation has not passed.
During the 2018 session, a Senate version was approved by two committees, while a House version was never heard.
Fracking, in part, involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing natural gas and oil to be released. While supporters say fracking increases production and holds down energy costs, opponents argue it threatens water supplies and can cause environmental damage.
Comments
15 Responses to “Fracking Ban Proposed In Florida House”
Truth??? The truth is we need to be weaning ourselves from fossil fuels. They are destructive in mining/drilling, polluting when used and are making climate change a serious problem. Truth is Bush & Co. at Cheney’s push made revealing the chemicals used in fracking secret from public record, and time and time again we do things first and figure it’s impact afterward in this case what we’re doing to water within the ground. We need to be promoting sustainable energy systems, working toward a better environment, not a worse one, and for Florida you pollute the land and water worse than done so far just threatens the economy in the long term. Our history in how we treat the land and water we need to sustain us has been insane, and we see a renewed push to get worse than we have been in recent times. And it’s more about making money by those in fossil fuels.
Ok to the right wingers that don’t believe what we are doing to our health is dangerous. Many people in north Escambia either are farmers or at least know farmers. If you think global warming is causing no problems then go ask a farmer how badly their soil is doing. Crop rotation can only do so much. Air pollution contaminates anything it touches so if you actually care about farmers as many right-wingers claim then support this legislation. We have the means to make electric cars cheaply. All we have to do is gradually switch from gas to electric within the next few years. Solar panels help too.
REGARDING:
“typical of us, supporting fracking to the detriment of the environment including our fresh water.”
Only if we believe fracking MUST harm the environment and the fresh water. There is a danger but not a certainty.
Nobody does or could drink the water three miles down — too salty for one thing. Seawater has less salt.
So the question is whether or not it would get in the higher aquifers we drink from. This can be avoided.
“Florida’s main economic engine is not fuel.”
Tying your future to tourism is unwise. But even there, tourism dies without fuel.
David for truth
Once again, typical of us, supporting fracking to the detriment of the environment including our fresh water. It’s insane how time and time again people protect those hurting them. Florida’s main economic engine is not fuel. Do you really want to jeopardize the real drivers of the state’s economy? Tourism, fishing, the beaches, etc. Read The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea by Jack E. Davis to read how this is a sick, selfish proposal once again short sighted and detrimental. We’ve over fished the waters, killed off birds for our vanity, over built the beaches destroying their natural beauty that lured us in the first place and willing to sacrifice the state’s main economies for oil, whether offshore drilling or fracking. And remember the chemicals used in fracking are protected from public scrutiny so who knows what is being pumped into ground.
I remember motorists back in 2010 with smoke puffing out their tailpipes right below their BP stands for Beach Polluter bumper stickers.
REGARDING:
“So which way do you think it’s gonna go?”
Up until it hits a barrier. Consider the fact that it hasn’t already gone up because it hit a barrier. Fracking doesn’t break every barrier, can’t even keep the fractures open without propping sand.
16,000′ if more than three miles below us. There are many impermeable rock formations between there and our drinking water.
Very likely fracking in other states was done so shallow that it released gas into the drinking water. That is not the same thing as saying it must happen or is even likely to happen. Lest there be any doubt, there are and always have been places around the world with methane and oil seeps — usually called tar pits — as far back as anyone has records.
David for truth
Let’s just see how much you like fracking when you can light you well water on fire. Water is heavier than oil and gas. So which way do you think it’s gonna go?
We should frack Tallahassee Government.
REGARDING:
“Fracking, in part, involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing natural gas and oil to be released.”
It’s actually the high pressure pumped part which causes the fractures. The water carries the sand and pressure. The chemicals suspend the sand. The sand props the fractures open after pressure is released.
Petroleum and natural gas flows through aquifers without contaminating them.
Hydraulic fracturing can and should be done safely.
Many of you are sitting on millions of dollars’ worth of hydrocarbons.
Buying from and financing Middle Eastern dictators and their terrorist groups is a poor alternative. Sure, nuclear, wind and solar will be nice, but if hydrocarbons are going to be used to heat homes, power ambulances and firetrucks, light emergency rooms and hospitals, domestic production is better.
By the way, hydraulic fracturing can also be done where there are no hydrocarbons but the rock is hot enough for geothermal energy supply. Pump cold fresh water down, get hot fresh water back. No-carbon-emission energy source.
David for defunding dictators, despots, and destroyers
Some folks need to educate themselves on the water table & fracking .. The average water table depth is 200′ .. average deprh of an oil well is thousands of feet .. with the fracking zone near the bottom of the well , its near impossible for the water table to be impacted by fracking. Fact is NONE of us can survive without oil & gas in some shape of form..
Florida’s already stressed groundwater supply would be decimated by fracking.
@Don Neese, does that mean I can go destroy God’s creation without regard for my children and grandchildren, and only regard for my convenience and profit, but as long as I worship God I’m covered? Seems silly to me.
It’s moot. Florida has pretty much stopped exploration, anyway.
Silly.
I love having a clean environment, but I also like being able to drive and heat my home.
Unfortunately the Environmental crowd has created a new/ancient religion.
The seem to be more concerned with the creation vs. Creator.
Romans 1:25 KJV
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Let the fracking begin.
Banning fracking in Florida is essential towards protecting groundwater resources. Too much groundwater has already been lost in other states.
Given the impact of climate change and sea level rise on Florida’s population, especially in major cities like Miami and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida needs to be rapidly getting away from fossil fuels, not promoting them. Renewable energy laws need to be proposed and passed rapidly given the pending issues in the state’s coastal areas.
We all need to thing of the well being of the environment and all citizens in the future of the 21st century, and understand that the actions of the 20th century can no longer continue on this planet.
Florida should do without oil & gas since they are against fracking .. How can people be so hypocritical? Everyone HAS to use gasoline yet they dont want it drilled in their state.. Park those cars & lets see how long that lasts..